Did any school support staff work from home prior to lockdown?

[FTMF30]

I'm considering applying for a full time job in community/stakeholder engagement at a school. I'd love the job as I've experienced working for a school in the past and loved it.

The only trouble is where the school is located in relation to DS' nursery. I don't think I'd be able to get in to work on time (if I got the job).

I know plenty of school staff are working from home at the moment, but is it usually the done thing? Or could it be going forward?

The job advert makes no mention of flexible working or location, so it's obviously expected to be at the school. I'm considering asking the school about this but working from home still has a bit of a stigma (despite everything!) and I don't want it to put me in a bad light.

I would apply and ask to start later than advertised. Schools tend to like all their staff in and working from home is a rarity for support staff and I don't know anybody that does regular WFH. Whether it will change for Covid I don't know but I doubt it. Teachers are in support staff expected to be in is the norm. They are also likely to have a huge number of applicants for the job.

@boredofremotelearning Thanks, good to have a bit of insight about WFH culture in schools. I did think that was the case. I was just being hopeful. I suppose I could ask about a later start/finish time but I'm a bit reluctant to for the same reason I'm a bit wary to ask about WFH. I can see how the later start/finish could be a more attractive request than WFH though. I'm just worried about sticking out as an unattractive candidate when I know competition will be rife (as you've mentioned).

I would say that so much about working in a school is physically being there that it would be rare to have a WFH job within a school. Certainly not in a smaller school but potentially a large school with lots of staff physically in the building

@PickledWilly Yes, that is a very good point. I would really need to get to know the school and it's culture to promote it effectively.

I think I will ask about wiggle room for start/finish times as PP has suggested. Otherwise, there's no use in applying due to the location and nursery issue.

In my experience schools are accommodating for changing start and finish times if you are not in a classroom based role. Especially if they really want you

Thanks @PickledWilly. It's reassuring to know that it's not an uncommon request. There's hope for me yet!